Printer format control system



oct. 16, 1962 y J. GOLDBERG ETAL PRINTER FORMAT CONTROL SYSTEM OriginalFiled- Feb. 5, 195'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P276. if.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. GOLDBERG ETAL PRINTER FORMAT CONTROL SYSTEM Oct. 16,1962 original Filed Feb. 5, 1957 Oct. 1,6., 1962 J. GOLDBERG ETAL Re-25,253

PRINTER FORMAT CONTROL SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Original Filed Feb., 5,1957 Oct. 16, 1962 J. GOLDBERG ETAL Re 25,253

PRINTER FORMAT CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Feb. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet4 United States Patent Oce Reissued Oct. 16, 1962 l 25,263 PRINTERFORMAT CGNTRGL SYSTEM Jacob Goldberg and lionnar Cox, Palo Alto, Calif.,as-

signors, by mesne assignments, to General Electric Company, New York,N.Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 2,874,633, dated Feb. 24,1959, Ser. No. 638,407, Feb. 5, 1957. Application for reissue Oct. 14,1960, Ser. No. 62,818

9 Claims. (Cl. lOl-93) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to output printer control apparatus employed ininformation-handling machines and, more particularly, to an improvementin the format control of such output printers.

Output printers are employed with information-handling machines for thepurpose of printing output of the results produced by the machine afterit has operated upon the data which was put into it. Output printers arealso used to obtain status reports Where a machine is used for inventorycontrol or, in some instances, for bookkeeping activities. Where largeamounts of data are printed out, high-speed output printers areemployed. One of the high-speed printers commonly used is the type whichemploys the rotating cylinder, or drum, having columns of type on itsperiphery. At a printing position, an inked ribbon is passed adjacentthe printing cylinder and paper is passed adjacent the inked ribbon. Thepaper and ribbon are moved slowly a line space at a time, and the drumis rotated at high speed. Means are provided for electrically indicatingthe type which is at the printing position. A solenoid-actuated hammeris provided for each type bar in a column of type. Thus, if in a line ofdata to be printed out, the type character which is at the printingposition is required for several of the words to be printed along theline, the corresponding solenoid-actuated hammers are excited and theypush the paper in their respective location against the inked ribbon andtype bar to thereby imprint the letter or character on the paper.

The data which is sought to be printed out on the high-speed printer isusually contained within the information-handling machine in a codedform on some storage device. This storage device may take the form ofmagnetic tape or perforated paper tape. It may also include magneticcores and magnetic drums. In any event, the present practice forpresenting this coded data for the purpose of being printed out is toenter it into storage registers, a line of items of data at a time.Means are provided for comparing all the characters within the dataitems stored in the register With the information derived from the typedrum as to the character appearing in the column of type at the printingposition. When as a result of such comparison an identity between thetype at the printing position and the characters required Which arestored in the register occurs, the solenoids at the respective positionswithin a line for that particular character are actuated. A preferredarrangement for actuating an output printer from data sto-red withininformation-handling machines is shown, described, and claimed in anapplication by Jacob Goldberg and Bonnar Cox for Electronic Apparatusfor High- Speed Printers, Serial No. 606,410, filed August 27, 1956, nowU.S. Patent No. 2,799,222, and assigned to a common assignee.

In a high-speed output printer which presently is being manufactured andsold commercially, there are provided in each column of type eighty typecharacters. Thus, it

is possible to print in a given line eighty characters. Where theoutpupt material is in narrative form, it may be necessary to use mostof the eighty characters. In this instance, the storage registersrequired for the operation of the system must have a capacity for allthe data required for each line to be printed. The usual mode foroperating the solenoid-actuated hammers is to have a thyratron connectedto the hammers so that when, as the result of a comparison, an identityis established, the thyratron is tired. Thus, for this type of outputprinting, an Sil-character register and 8()1 thyratrons are required.However, in the normal course of business activity, a narrative type ofoutput is not required. The output printer is usually required to printthe information in -some type of format employed in a business. Thesecan he the bookkeeping type of format with debits and credits printedout side by side, or the banking type of format where credits, debite,and a current balance are printed within previously designated spaces.These types of output data are in formats which are not characters Wide.It would appear, therefore, that it is a simple matter to merely reducethe size of the register and the number of output-controlled thyratronsto the number required for handling the particular forms. However, thisleads to an inexible `device in that changes, or additions, in forms dooccur in business and without extensive reworking of the high-speedprinter connections, the output printer may not be suitable to handleall the forms required.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a format controlfor an output printer which is flexible.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelarrangement for controlling the format of an output printer.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of anovel, useful, and inexpensive arrangement which affords a flexibleformat control.

In the entry of data into an information-handling machine, it is usuallyentered in the manner in which we are accustomed to read, namely, fromleft to right. The data entered into the machine is usually encoded withthe alphabetical characters being handled in alpha-numeric code and thenumbers in the numeric code. Should the data be stored in a medium suchas a magnetic drum, or magnetic tape, it is customary to store such datain a form known as parallel-serial. That is, each character in analpha-numeric code may consist of several binary digits, known hereafteras bits, which are adjacent parallel tracks on the tape. Thus, if entryof a Word is from left to right using parallel-serial storage on tape,the readout from the tape when converted into the human language formwill be reversed. For example, the word chair, unless care is taken toprovide the necessary reversal somewhere within the system, will beprinted out as riahc. Similarly, a value, such as 607, is printed out as706.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a format controlcircuit which enables the rearrangement of items to be properlyreadable.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing aformat control system which is operated responsive to symbols which areemployed with item-s to identify the different kinds of items. Thus, byWay of illustration and not to be considered as a limitation, assumingan information-handling machine is employed in the banking business, itwill handle credits and debits usually prexed by a plus sign and a minussign, respectively. A plurality of storage registers are employed, eachof which is assigned items which are to be printed at a differentlocation along the line. The recognition of an item by its symbolenables the routing of that item 3 to a particular lstorage register, sothat the item may be printed at that portion of a line which has beenassigned to items of that type within the form to be printed.

A plurality of means are provided -for energizing the solenoids oftheprint hammers. These means may be the thyratron tubes. There are fewerof these, however, than there are hammers. Each register has a group ofthese thyrat-rons: associated therewith. There is also provided |a meansfor selectively coupling each of the thyratrons to a diierent one of theprint hammer solenoids responsive to the identifying symbol of an itementered into the register with which such group is associated. Thismeans may be, for example, a selectively actuated crossbar switch whichenables the rearrangement of the contents of a register for printing outat a predetermined portion along the line. There is also providedcounting means which counts the number of items of each different typewhich are entered into the registers. In accordance with predeterminedform requirements, when the count reaches a predetermined number, theprinter is actuated to print out the contents of the register and no newdata is entered until such time ras the printer has completed itsoperation.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 'Ilie inventionitself, both as to its organization and method of operation, `as well as'additional objects and iadvantages thereof, will best be understoodfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical layout on a memory, such as magnetictape, of data desired to be printed out on an output printer;

FIGURE 2 illustrates la typical form to be printed out from the dataillustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a symbol recognition circuit suitable foruse in the embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of a typical data-routing circuit suitablefor use in the embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is ia block diagram of an arrangement of format control relayssuitable for use in the embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of a crossbar relay showing itsutilization in coupling thyratrons to hammers to achieve format controlin accordance with this invention.

In order to facilitate an explanation of the format control principlesinvolved in this invention, the invention will be described inconnection with an operation in the banking iield, wherein the activityof each depositors account is printed out. This type of information isobtained when it is desired to see what activity has occurred in theaccounts of depositors lwith the bank. This illustration is not to `beconstrued as a limitation on the invention, `since from the following:description those skilled in the art may readily appreciate how thisinvention can lbe extended for other formats and for other businesses.

In this connection, it is assumed that the infomationhandling machine isof a type which has, for example, as the internal memory, a magnetictape recording arrangement. On that tape is recorded the name of eachdepositor, the transactions for that depositors account, and otherassociated information. When an activity printout is required, theoutput printer is actuated, `as well as the source of data, namely, themagnetic tape, so that the output printed material will contain the nameof the depositor, the transactions occurring in his account, consistingof debits and credits, and also an item count, which is merely a totalof all the debits and credits which have occurred. This information canserve as the basis for a service charge by the bank.

Reference is now made to FIGURE l, which shows the manner in which theinformation is recorded on tape. Obviously, the information is recordedin a coded form and is not written, as shown in FIGURE 1. However,inorder to Iassist' in an explanation of the invention, Ithe tapesections 10A and 10B shown in FIGURE 1 illustrate the arrangement whichthe coded information would talte. Thus, the tape section 10A, for anygiven depositor, will contain the following information. First, therewil-l be a code symbol here represented by a lambda, followed by thefirst name of the depositor. 'Ilhen will be a second code symbol lambda,indicative of a name item, followed by the second name. If a third namewere present, then the lambda would precede that third name. Thus, thename Iohn Doe, as shown in the tape section 10B, require two lambdasymbols. After the area of the tape reserved for the name, thetransactions involved follow. Thus, John Doe has had two debit items,indicative of the fact that two withdrawals were made, and two credititems, indicative of the fact .that two deposits were made. Each debititem is preceded by a symbol representative of a minus; each credit itemis preceded by a symbol representative of a plus. In the illustrativeexample, the first debit is 326, the second -874; the first credit is+523, the second is +049. The characters `are read in time sequencefrom` left to right ou the illustration. 'Dollar values are recordedwith leastsignificant digit iirst, in order to simplify arithmeticoperations. Thus, the amounts being handled are $6.23; $4.78; $3.25; and$9.40. As will be pointed out later, one of the `advantages of theformat control system, which embodies this invention, is that there isno need for the lcarrying within the informationhandling machine of thedecimal point. This will be supplied by `the format control. At the endof the space allotted for transactions, there will exist a locationknown as the item-count location. The item-count location will have a`symbol 1, followed by an item number which is the total number oftransactions which have occurred.

In the printing out of this information, certain rules for the formatare specified. The first ruile is that there shall not be any more thanthree words or items periine; there may be less. A `second requirementon the form is that there shall not be more than one credit item perline. A third rule is that there may be one or two debits maximum perline. A fourth rulle is that there shall only be one item count on aline. Another `requirement is that there shall be three name words perline wherever possible and a last requirement is that no items `shallappear on the same line as a name word. These rules Iare represented inthe table form below:

top of the form. On the next line there appears two debits and onecredit. It should be noted that the decimal points and the spacesbetween the debits and credits are provided by the format controlapparatus, in accordance with this invention. Thus, there is no burdenplaced upon the information-handling machine storage facilities toprovide spacing and decimal point information. On the next line thereappears the second credit underneath the iirst credit. On the last linethere appears the item count. It should be appreciated that thearrangement shown in FlGURE 2 may `be extended to include otherinformation, such as balance remaining at the end of the activity, anyspecial charges to be included as debits, and possibly the accountnumber or the address for ythe particular depositor in addition to hisnaine. From a description lof the invention which follows, it willbecome clear how to make provision for format control, using any desireddisposition of the information to be written and also using any desiredrules as to the sequence on a line of information-aalen, providingr forthe orientation of `the item letters within each, the type ofinformation on a line, and the amount of information of any particulartype on a line.

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention. A sourceof data provides as its output coded signals representative of theinformation to be printed out. This source of data may be the magnetictape of the type shown in FIGURE l. A requirement for the data inaccordance with this invention is that lthere be included a means ofrecognizing the types of items of data which are to be printed out. Onerecognition arrangement in accordance with this explanation and as shownin lFIGURE 1, is a symbol which precedes the particular item. Inaccordance with the illustration used herein the symbol consists of alambda, the minus or plus sign, and an I. The means of recognition canalso be the length of the item words or its physical location relativeto other items on the tape or within the memory used to retain thesource of data.

For the purposes of this explanation, a symbol senser 22 senses theoutput from the 4source of data 20. The symbol senser recognizes theparticular type of data which is being emitted from the source andapplies this recognition output to a ldata-routing circuit 24 and `alsoto a rectangle labeled format-matrix-control relays 26. Theseformat-matrix-control relays are operated to establish predeterminedconnections in a format matrix 28.

The output of the data-rounting circuit is applied to a plurality of Andgates 30, 32, 34. Only one of these And gates is enabled as a result ofthe information received from the data-routing circuit. Thus, that Andgate is enabled and can apply data from the source which is also beingapplied to the And gates to one of the succeeding registers 40, 42, 44.A plurality of registers 40, 42, 44 are provided. The informationcontained in each register is informaton which is to be printed within-a certain location along the line. Thus, register 40 is assignedinformation which is to be printed at the beginning of a line, register42 is assigned information which is to be printed in the middle of aline, and register 44 is assigned information which is to be printed atthe end of a line. The function of the data-routing circuit is to enterthe data into the particular register to assure print-out of that dataat the location in accordance with format requirements. It should befurther noted, however, that the location of the printing of the data inthe registers may be made subject to any desired further modificationsby the format matrix 28.

A rectangle labeled output printer 46 represents the rotating cylinder,or drum, which has the type columns on its periphery. At a printingposition, printing occurs. The output printer also has hammers which`are separately actuated by solenoids when it is desired to print aparticular character. The column of type at the print location isidentified by means of information provided ,5. U from either markingson the type drum periphery or an auxiliary `code wheel which is rotatedalong with the drum.

A rectangle identified as the printing-wheel data 48 represents any ofthe well-known `arrangements for identifying the type lat the printingposition to enable printout. The registers 40, 42, 44 are known lascirculating registers, and they circulate their contents once for eachtype character while the output printer drum goes through a completerevolution. The paper on which the printing occurs only advances thedistance for a single line after the output printer has made its rstrevolution. Since the registers are only loaded with information toenable the print-out `of a single line, it will be seen that bycirculating their contents once for each type character at the printingposition, a single line of information is printed out.

The circulating registers have their contents compared with the printingwheel data by means of a comparator 50. When, as a result of acomparison, it is established that characters yin the register are thesame as the one present at the print-out position, then one or morethyratrons 52, 54, 56 `are fired. Each fired thyratron, in turn, pullscurrent through the solenoid in the corresponding position in the`output printer and actuates the hammer, whereby the printing of acharacter is made in its proper position.

In the usual case, there is a one-to-one relationship between thethyratron and the solenoid-actuated hammer, so that when a character inthe fifth position along the line is identified as being present at theprint-out position, the fifth thyratron is excited and actuates thefifth solenoid for print-out. In the present invention, however, thereis no such assignment of thyratrons to hammers. Although, for example,an output pi'inter may have 80 characters in a column of type andsolenoid-actuated hammers, the number of thyratrons and the registercapacity required is far less than this. The number of thyratrons andregister capacity, in accordance with the present invention, should onlyequal the maximum number of items to be printed on -a line within -aparticular form. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention which was builtfor banking practices, only 36 thyratrons were required, and the maximumregister capacity was that for 36 characters. The format-switchingmatrix performed the function of switching the thyratrons to connectthem to whichever ones of the output printer solenoids were required inthe particular format which was to be employed. lt is therefore evidenthow the apparatus may be employed to provide considerable iiexibility inthe format of the information printed out. It may also be seen that theamount of apparatus actually required is considerably reduced from thatusually employed in these systems.

The symbol senser 22 is also called a code-recognition circuit. It iswell known in the art and is shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,648,829to Ayres and Smith. To complete -t-his explanation, FIGURE `4 is a blockdiagram of a code-recognition circuit suitable for utilization in theembodiment of the invention. Assuming a code having four binary digits,or four bits, the symbol lambda may be represented by 1100. The symbolmay be represented by 1010. The symbol minus may be represented by 00l1,and the symbol I by 0110.

As shown in FIGURE 4, four reading amplifiers 60, 62, 64, and 66' areemployed, each one of which is connected to the reading head (not shown)over one of the parallel tracks on the tape. The output of these fourreading heads are applied to four iiip-flop circuits 7 0, 72, 74, 76.These iiip-iiop circuits, as is well known, have two stable states, therst of which is known as a reset state, and the second of which is knownas the set state. They may be driven from reset to set by theapplication of pulses. The outputs from the four ampliers 60 through 66are applied to these four flip-iiop circuits 70 through 76. In thepresence of a one, the ip-flop circuit is driven from its reset to itsset condition. In the presence of a zero, it is not so driven. `Instead,it remains in its reset condition. Between each reading of a characteron tape, consisting of four bits, the reset pulse is applied to resetthe ilip-ilop circuits 70 through 76 so that they are in condition forthe next reading.

Now, looking at the coded arrangement of the symbols, it can be seenthat the symbol lambda is characterized by the sequence 1100. The symbolplus is characterized by the sequence 1010. The symbol minus ischaracterized by the sequence 0011. And the symbol I is characterized bythe sequence 0110. Thus, all that is required for the symbolsensingarrangement is to sense the coincidence of the appropriate groupings ofone and zero positions in the outputs of the ilip-ops 70 through 76.

And gate 80, accordingly, requires, in order to produce an output, thata one be present in the two highest-order digit positions, or thatilip-ops 70l and 72 be set and that zero be present in the twolowest-order digit positions, or that flip-iiops 74 and 76 be reset. Andgate 82 requires that a one be present in the second and third digitpositions and a zero be present in the iirst and third positions, orthat ilip-fiops 72 and 74 are set and 70 and 76 be reset, and then itwill produce an output. And gate 84 requires an input from the setstates of flip-ilops 70 and 74 and the reset states of 72 and 76 beforeit produces an output indicative of the presence of a plus symbol. Andgate 8G requires the ilipfiops 74 and 76 to be in their set conditionsand ilip-flops 70 and` 72 to be in their reset conditions, whereupon itprovides an output indicative of a minus symbol.

The outputs from the symbol senser are applied both to the `data-routingcircuit 24 and to the format-matrixcontrol relays 26. FIGURE is a blockdiagram of the data-routing circuits. An Or gate 160 receives the outputfrom all of the And gates 80 through S6 shown in FIGURE 4. The output ofthe Or gate is applied to an And gate 102. This And gate requires as itssecond input before it can advance a following ring counter 104 from itszero, or standby state, the one or set output from a load ilip-op 106.This load -ip-op 106 is set by the application of a master start pulsewhich initiates the operation of the system. This pulse may be manuallyor automatically produced from the information-handling machine. Themaster-start pulse is applied to an Or gate 108. This Or gate alsoreceives as its alternative input a pulse `from the output printerindicative of the fact that a whole line has been printed and,therefore, a f" print cycle is ended. The output of the Or gate 108 isapplied to an And gate 110. A second enabling input to the And gate 110iis a clock pulse from a clock-pulse source, not shown. The clock-pulsesource is the wellknown source of synchronizing pulses which are used inpresent-day information-handling machines to synchronize the operationof the system. Thus, following the application of either a master-startpulse or a pulse from the output printer indicative of the fact that ithas completed printing a line, the load flip-llop will be driven to itsset condition.

The output of the load flip-'hop 106 is applied to enable the And gate102, and also, as signified by the label external load command, tosignal to the apparatus in the information-handling machines, which inFIGURE 3 is represented as source of data 20, that the output printer isnow ready to receive data. Thus, when the data begins to flow into thisapparatus, And gate 102 is in condition to advance the counter 104 toits iirst count Ifrom zero count each time a symbol output is receivedfrom the symbol senser as well as Word digit pulses. The counteradvances a count for each digit in an item read from the tape. Thus, onthe basis that a four-digit iixed word length for each item (-iilled outby zeros where needed) is employed, the counter need only count four.

Its fourth count signifies the end of the input Word. Thus, counter 104is a digit counter and goes through a complete cycle of counts for eachword that is read. Its last, or fourth count signies the end of a word.It should be appreciated that the number of counter stages may bevaried, as required. A preferred type of ring counter is described andshown in an application for a Gated-Delay Counter, by James E. Heywood,Serial No. 400,645, tiled December 28, 1953, and assigned to a commonassignee. in any event, the output of each stage of the counter, asidefrom the zero or standby stage, is applied to an Or gate 112. The outputof this Or gate 112 is applied as an enabling input to an And gate 114.The output of And gate 114 represents the data being supplied from thedata source. Accordingly, the second input to the And gate 1114 is datafrom the source 20. The output of And gate 114 is fed to three And gates30, 32, 34, which will be recognized as the And gates shown in FIGURE 3,which are controlled by the output of the data-routing circuit 24.

The output of the And gate (FIGURE 3), consisting of a signal whenever alambda appears, is applied to an And gate 116. This And gate has as its`second required input the output of an inverter 120, which occurs whenthere is no input to the inverter. Expressed alternatively, inverter`120, whenever an input is received from an Or gate 118, inhibits Andgate 11'6. The input to the Or gate 118 consists of the output of any ofthe counting stages of the counter 121 when a count is enter-ed in thecounter. Counter 121 consists of three flip-flops which, at standby, areall in their reset conditions. At this time, no output is applied to theOr gate 118. The flipallops following the first stage are setsuccessively upon the lambda being applied to the counter stages-only `astage following a set stage being set by the lambda and the precedingstage being reset. A counter of this type is shown in the above-notedapplication lfor a Gated-Delay Counter. The reason the counter has threecounting stages is that in accordance with the rules previously setforth three name words maximum may occupy any one line. Thus, each timea lambda symbol pulse is received, the counter 121 is advanced onecount.

The set output from the rst count stage of counter 121 is applied to anOr gate 122. This Or gate provides the second required input to the Andgate 30', so that the characters which follow the lambda signal will beentered into the iirst circulating register 40. The set output of thesecond count stage of the counter 121 enables And gate 32 through an Orgate 124. Therefore, the characters of the second name word whichfollows the second lambda will be entered through the And gate 32 intothe second register 42. The third lambda transfers the counter to itsthird count condition, whereupon an Or gate 126 is enabled to apply anoutput to the And gate 34, whereby the data will be directed to enterthe circulating register 44. The counter 121 will remain in its thirdcount condition until ip-flop 106 is reset. The reset output of flip op106 is applied to reset the counter through a clear Or gate 107.

It should be noted that along with the counter 121 the counter 104 willbe counting. When the fourth count condition signifying the end of theinput word has been reached, the output of the counter 104, which occursafter the last digit of the last name word, is applied to an And gate128. The second required input for this And gate 128` is received fromthe output of Or gate 126, which occurs when lambda counter 121 is inits third counting condition. And gate 128 applies its output to an Orgate 130. The output of Or gate 130 is applied to an And gate 132,which, upon receiving a clock pulse from the synchronizing pulse source,resets the load flip-flop 106, thereby terminating the further entry ofdata at that time into the data-routing circuit.

The output of Or gate 130 is applied to another And gate 134. This Andgate, upon receiving a clock pulse,

9 sets a print flip-flop 136. The output of the print llipflop, uponbeing set, commands the output printer system to commence the operationof printing out the information which is contained in the registers.This involves the circulating of the contents of the register and thecomparison of them. with the printing-wheel data. Upon the end of theprinting cycle occurring, the endprint cycle output is received andapplied to the Or gate 108 and to an And gate 138. The And gate 138`resets the print flip-Hop when a next clock-pulse occurs. The output ofthe Or gate 108 sets the load flip-flop, whereupon the next output fromthe data source may be loaded into the registers.

What has just been described is the way in which name words are handled.Assume that two debits now occur. The output of the And gate 86 inFIGURE 4, which is a debit signal, is applied both to the counter 104and to an And gate 140. The output of the And gate 140 receives as itssecond enabling input the output of an inverter 142. A two-stage counter144, which is identical with the counter 121 described previously,supplies output from each count stage when set to an Or gate 146. Theoutput of this Or gate 146 is applied to the inverter 142. This inverterwill therefore inhibit And gate 140 so long as the counter is in another-than-Zerocount condition. The counter advances each time anadvancing pulse is applied to the various stages. This advancing pulseis provided by recognition of the minus symbol. The counter is reset orcleared by an output from the load ilip-flop 106 when it is reset.

Upon the tirst count of the debit counter, And gate 30 is enabledthrough Or gate 122, whereby the debit data is entered through And gate30 into the register 40. Upon the second debit entry being identified byits symbol, the counter 144 is advanced to its second count, whereby Orgate 124 can enable And gate 32 and the second debit item is enteredinto the register 42.

Upon attaining its second count, the counter 144 also applies its outputto an And gate 148. This And gate is enabled only if a third debit itemsymbol occurs. In accordance with the rules previously mentioned, onlytwo debit items may be written on a line, and therefore upon theoccurrence of a third debit item symbol And gate 148 is enabled. Itsoutput is applied to the Or gate 130, which thereupon proceeds to resetthe load ip-op and set the print flip-flop. At the end of the printcycle, And gate 110 is again enabled and the data can again be enteredfrom the source into the registers. If two debits are followed by acredit, there will be no minus sign seen after the second state ofcounter 144, so that a print cycle will not be initiated until after thecredit item is read.

The credit-item symbol, or `l signal, from And gate 84 is applied to anAnd gate 150. Upon the occurrence of the next clock-pulse, the flip-flop152 is set by the output of the And gate. This permits Or gate 126 toenable And gate 34 so that the following credit itern is entered intothe third circulating register 44. The output of Or gate 126, aspreviously explained, is also applied to And gate 128. Counter 104,which counts the digits, provides And gate 128 the second requiredenabling pulse at the end of the input credit item. Note that one or twodebit items may precede the credit item on the same line. Therefore, atthe end of the credit item, the print-out cycle is authorized byflip-flop 136.

When an item-count symbol signal, I, is received, it is applied to Andgate 158 from And gate 82 in FIGURE 4. The output of And gate 158 isapplied to a flip-flop 160. This Hip-flop is set and applies its outputto an And gate 162. The second required input to And gate 162 is theoutput of Hip-flop 106, the load flip-flop, when it is set. The outputof And gate 162 is applied to an Or gate 126, which, as previouslydescribed, enables And gate 34 so that the incoming item data may beentered into the third register 44. The output of the Or gate 126 isalso apl) plied to And gate 128, which, as previously explained, senabled upon receiving the signal from the counter 104, indicative ofthe end of the input item word. Thus, the item is printed on a line byitself at the portion of the line which is controlled or allotted to theregister 44.

In order to further carry out the rules set forth previously, a nameword must appear alone `on a line without any debit or credit items. Toinsure this, the output of Or gate 118, which receives an output fromthe counter 121 when in any one of its counting stages other than zero,is applied to an And gate 169. The second required input to this Andgate is the output of an Or gate 166. The input to this Or gate iseither a minus or plus symbol pulse. Not only does the output of Or gate166 serve to enable And gate 164 to order a print-out, whereby only namewords on any line are obtained, but also the output of this Or gate isapplied to the clear Or gate 107, which resets or clears the counter 121to its standby condition.

Another And gate 168 serves the function of insuring that when an itemcount number is received following the entry of one or two debits thatthose debits are printed out on a line by themselves. Thereafter, theitem which follows can be entered on a line by itself and not on thesame line with the debit. This is assured by applying to the And gate168 as one required input the item symbol pulse and as the secondrequired input output from either stage of the debit counter 144.

From the above description, it should be clear how the rules previouslyset forth for the format described are carried forth by the logicprovided. The item symbol enables recognition of the data which follows,so that suitable logic controlled thereby enables the input of that datato one of the registers, each of which controls a given portion -o-f aline. Thus, the item is entered into a register which eventually willsecure the printing out of that item in the proper portion of a line. Byfurther logic, the number of items on a line and the kinds of thoseitems are also controlled in accordance with the format rules previouslylaid down.

Once the items are entered into the registers, the comparison operationof the system, with the columns of type appearing under the print-outposition, are achieved in well-known manner. It should be noted thatwhen the load nip-flop 106 is reset, the reset, or zero, output thereofis used to clear the counters 121 and 144 and through And gate 172 toreset the flip-flops 152 upon the occurrence of the next clock pulse.Flip-flop 160 is reset by the end input word output of counter 104through And gate 170. Thus, the apparatus is put in condition for thenext cycle of operation.

Once the registers are loaded, the next operation to occur is that ofcomparing the contents of the registers with the columns of typeappearing at the printing-out positions. Apparatus for securing thistype of operation is well known. A preferred arrangement is shown,described, and claimed in an application by these inventors for outputprinter control system.

In FIGURE 3, format control is further securedby the format matrix 28,which is operated by the format-matrixcontrol relays 26. Theformat-matrix-control relays are shown in FIGURE 6. The lambda pulsesignal, which is received from the And gate in FIGURE 4, is applied toan And gate 180. Upon the occurrence of a clock pulse, this And gateoutput will set a flip-Hop 182. When this flip-flop is in its setcondition, it energizes a relay 184, the coil of which is shown inFIGURE 6. This relay, in turn, serves to close contacts, not shown,which are disposed within the format matrix 28 to secure the name formaton a line. These contacts are identified in FIG- URE 7 by a triangularsymbol A. Each such symbol on FIGURE 7 represents a connection of thetwo bus-wires enclosed within the symbol.

A plus or a minus symbol pulse output from And gates 84 or 86 is appliedto` an And gate 186 in FIGURE 6,

whereby upon the occurrence of the next clock pulse, a flip-op 188 isset and thereby it energizes a relay 1907 which controls the closing ofcontacts (not shown) in the format matrix to insure the item format.These contacts are identified by a circle O in FIGURE 7.

The item count symbol pulse output from And gate 82 in FIGURE 4 isapplied to And gate 192, the output from which, upon the occurrence ofthe next clock pulse, set flip-flop 194. In its set condition, flip-Hop194 energizes a relay 196. This secures the closure of contacts (notshown) in the format matrix to insure that the item count format isachieved. These contacts are identified in FIGURE 7 by a rectangle Il.

Each time an end-print cycle signal is received from the output printer,indicative of the fact that a line of type has been completely printed,all the dip-flops 182, 188, and 194 are reset. Adjacent each one of therelay coils 184, 190, 196 are the symbols which are employed in FIGURE 7to identify the contacts which are controlled by that particular relay.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is essentially shown a matrixconsisting of column busses and row busses with a pair of normally opencontacts existing at each row and column bus intersection. Thiseffectively describes the setup of a crossbar relay which may beemployed, if desired. Pairs of the contacts at the row and column busintersections are closed by energization of the relay shown in FIGURE 6having the symbol corresponding to the one shown at the intersection ofthe busses.

In order to secure the format shown in FIGURE 2, the name-format relay184 must close the contacts at the intersections which are designated bythe small triangles. 'There is a correspondence between the row bussesand a position for each character forming the contents of each of thethree registers. It will thus be seen that by preselecting the contactsto be closed in the matrix which connect thyratrons driven from eachregister and selected ones of the hammer solenoids, the printed outlocations of the characters forming words or items may be rearranged.Thus, an inversion of the register contents may be obtained, as well asany required spaces between the items in accordance with the format setforth in FIGURE 2. A decimal point may always be called for with numberitems after the cents amount.

Great flexibility is afforded, if desired, by bringing out the row andcolumn busses to a plug-board from which connections may be arranged asdesired to the various relays actuated by symbols.

As pointed out previously, the explanation of the invention was inconnection with a banking operation. should be apparent that otherbusiness practices may be handled just as easily, since deposits andwithdrawalsor credits and debits-or deposits and purchases are a commonbusiness language, and the symbols may be the same for each. Theapparatus `described may be readily expanded to handle larger item Wordsby enlarging the size of the registers and counters, as required. Moreitems may be handled by paralleling the logic circuits shown in FIGUREwith similar logic for the additional items in accordance with theirparticular format rules.

Accordingly, there has been described and shown herein a novel, useful,and simple arrangement for obtaining the format control of an outputprinter. The arrangement is very economical and flexible and enables theutilization of the same circuitry for any number of different formatarrangements.

We claim:

l. A format-control system for printing data derived from a source, saiddata consisting of dillerent kinds of items, each kind being identied bya symbol, said printer having columns of type on a rotating drumperiphery, a plurality of solenoid-actuated print hammers, a printingposition at which a line may be printed, and means to indicate the typeon said drum at said printing position, said format-control systemcomprising a Itr plurality of storage registers, each of which isassigned to hold items for printing at a different portion of a line,means responsive to a symbol from said source identifying items of datafrom said source to enter said items of said data into different ones ofsaid registers in accordance with predetermined line positionassignments, a plurality of means for energizing the solenoids of saidprint hammers, and means for selectively coupling each of said means forenergizing to a different one of said solenoids responsive to theidentifying symbol of an item entered into a register to establish thearrangement of said item on a printed line.

2. A format-control system for printing data from a source, said dataconsisting of different kinds of items, each kind being identified by adifferent symbol, said printer having columns of type on a rotating drumpcripnery, a plurality of solenoid-actuated print hammers, a printingposition at which a line may be printed, and means to indicate the typeon said drum at said printing position, said format-control systemcomprising a plurality of storage registers each of which is assigneditems for printing at a different portion of a line, means foridentifying different item symbols, means for entering items of datainto different ones of said registers in accordance with prearrangedline position assignments responsive to the symbol identification bysaid means, a plurality of means for energizing the solenoids of saidprint hammers, and means for establishing the arrangement of an item ona printed line including means for associating dif- `ferent groups ofsaid means for energizing with different ones of said registers, andmeans for selectively coupling each of said means for energizing to adifferent one of said print hammer solenoids responsive to theidentifying symbol of an item entered into a register.

3. A format-control system for printing data from a source as recited inclaim 2 wherein the number of means in said plurality of means forenergizing the solenoids of said print hammers is less than the numberof solenoidactuated print hammers.

4. A format-control system for printing data from a source, as recitedin claim 2, wherein said means for entering items of data into ones ofsaid registers in accordance with prearranged line position assignmentsincludes a separate means for counting each different item symbolidentified by said means for identifying, means responsive to the countin each said separate counting means to enable a predetermined one ofsaid registers to receive the item the preceding symbol for which hasJust been counted, and means responsive to a predetermined count in saidseparate counting means to prevent further items from being entered intosaid registers until after the items already present are printed out. 5.A format-control system for printing data yas recited 1n claim 2 whereinsaid means for selectively coupling each of said means .for energizingto a different one of said print-hammer `solenoids responsive to theidentfiying symbol of an item entered into a register includes aplurality of pains of normally open relay contacts, means for couplingone contact lof la different pair of said relay contacts to a differentone of said means for energizing and the other contact to a differentone of said printhammer solenoids, and relay means for selectivelyclosing predetermined ones of said pairs `of relay contracts.

6. In an output printer of the .type having columns of type on arotating drum periphery, a plurality of solenoid-actuated print hammers,a printing position at which a line may be printed, and means toindicate the type on -said drum at said printing position, apparatus forcontrolling the format for printing dat-a from a source, -said dataconsisting of different kinds of items, each kind being identified yby adifferent symbol, said apparatus comprising a plurality of storageregisters, each of which is assigned items for printing `at a differentportion of a line, means for identifying different item symbols, meansfor entering different items of `data into preassigned different ones ofsaid registers responsive to symbol identication by said means, meansfor establishing the number of each different item entered into `saidregisters, means responsive to predetermined numbers of different itemsestablished by `said means for establishing for preventing further items`from being entered into said registers unt-il the items already presentare printed out, a plurali-ty of means for energizing the solenoids ofsaid print hammers, and means for establishing the arrangement of anitem on a printed line including means for associating `different groupsof said means for energizing with different ones :of said registers, andmeans for coupling in a predetermined manner each group of said means.for energizing to a different one of said printhammer solenoidsresponsive to the identifying symbol of the item in the register'associated with the group.

7. A format-control system for printing data derived from a source, saiddata consisting of different kinds of items, each kind being identifiedby a symbol; a printer associated with said control system, said printerhaving columlns of type on a rotating drum periphery, print hammermeans, a printing position at which a line may be printed and means toindicate the type on said drum periphery at said printing position; saidformat-control system comprising storage means for holding items forprinting at a different portion of a line; means responsive to a symbolfrom said source identifying items of data from said source to entersaid items of said data into said storage means in accordance withpredetermined line position assignments; means for energizing said printhammer means; and means responsive to the identifying symbol of an itementered into said storage means for causing the printing of said item ona predetermined position in a line.

8. A format-control system for printing data from a sounce, said dataconsisting of different kinds of items, each kind being identified by asymbol; a printer associated with said control system, said printerhaving columns of 14 type on a rotating drum periphery, a plurality ofsolenoid-actuated prinz hammers, a printing position at which a line maybe printed and means to indicate the type on said drum periphery at saidprinting position; said formatcontrol system comprising storage meansfor holding items for printing at a different position of a line; meansresponsive to a symbol from said source identifying items of data fromsaid source to enter said items of said data into said storage means inaccordance with predetermined line position assignments; means forenergizing the solenoids of said print hammers and; means for couplingsaid energizing means to a chosen solenoid responsive to the identifyingsymbol of an item to establish the position of said iteml on a printedline.

9. In information responsive apparatus having output printing means,said printing means ,comprising columns of type on a rotating drumperiphery; storage means for holding different items of data forprinting at different respective portions of a line, each kind of itembeing identified by a different symbol, means for identifying dierentitem symbols, means for entering items of data into said storage meansin accordance with prearranged line position assignments responsive tothe symbol identifcation by said identifying means, and means responsiveto the identifying symbol of an item for eecting the printing of saiditem on a line in its assigned position by said printing means.

References Cited in the le of this patent or the original patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,692,551 Potter Oct. 26, 1954 2,776,618 Hartley Jan. 8,1957 2,800,073 Block July 23, 1957 2,811,102 Devol Oct.` 29, 19572,858,536 Johnston Oct. 28, 1958 2,874,634 Hense i Feb. 24, 1959

